MyAccess Sign In

About MyAccess

If your institution subscribes to this resource, and you don't have a MyAccess Profile, please contact your library's reference desk for information on how to gain access to this resource from off-campus.

Key Terms

During the second half of a boy’s high school basketball game a player collapses on the court. Play is immediately stopped by the referee, and he goes to check on the player. The referee then yells for assistance from the athletic trainer covering the event. The athletic trainer runs onto the court to check on the unresponsive player. He checks all vitals and finds that the player is not breathing and has no pulse. At this point, what should the athletic trainer do to help the stricken player?

Introduction

Emergency medical situations can occur in athletics at any time. When they do occur, it is important to have the proper emergency action plan (EAP) in place to provide the best possible care to the athletes with potentially life-threatening injuries or illness. The development and implementation of the EAP will help ensure that the quality of care provided to the athletes is the best possible. The goal of the sports medicine staff of any athletic organization is to have an EAP that will minimize the time needed to provide an immediate response to a potentially life-threatening situation or medical emergency.

Because medical emergencies can occur during any activity, the sports medicine staff must be prepared for any type of situation. Emergency care preparation includes the formation of an EAP, proper coverage of athletic events and practices, maintenance of emergency equipment and supplies, utilization of appropriate personnel involved with the sports medicine team, and the continuing education of the sports medicine team in emergency medical care (Box 1-1). Although every precaution may be taken by the athletic organization and its sports medicine staff, it is important to understand that medical emergencies may still occur. With proper organization and administration, however, these situations can be handled in a timely, effective, and professional manner.